Department of Philosophy

The Department of Philosophy offers the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in philosophy, as well as a minor in philosophy and course offerings for non-majors and non-minors. The department also sponsors an interdisciplinary minor in Philosophy and Law, described below.

The program for majors is built around two aims. First, the major offers study of the methods, problems, and history of philosophy. Second, it exposes the student to analysis of contemporary moral issues and philosophical puzzles. Throughout the major goal is to teach students to present and analyze critically arguments, both orally and in writing. Graduates of the department have pursued such careers as teaching, law, medicine, counseling, and business.

Further information about the department and its programs may be obtained at the department’s website: www.uab.edu/philosophy.

There are three different ways in which to major in philosophy at UAB:

The general track.

The individually designed track.

The honors track.

When a student first declares a major in philosophy, he or she is classified in the general track. Students remain in this track unless they request entry into the individually designed track or are successfully admitted upon request into the honors track. These requests are made of the department chair.

The general track appeals to students with broad philosophic interests as well as to students desiring a second major or who need a flexible class schedule. The individually designed track is designed in consultation with a faculty advisor in areas such as applied ethics, bioethics, history of ideas, law and society, religion, and science and the modern world. Students graduating in the honors track graduate “With Honors in Philosophy."

Major Requirements for Philosophy

Requirements

Hours

Philosophy Requirements

Select 10 Philosophy (PHL) courses, with 7 courses at the 200-level or higher, 3 courses must be at the 400-level, one of which must be a Capstone--PHL 490, 491, or 492.

Minor Requirements for Philosophy

Select 18 hours from Philosophy (PHL) courses, with at least 9 hours at the 200-level or above.

Total Hours

18

A grade of "C" or better is required in all philosophy courses for the minor.

Minor Requirements for Philosophy & Law

Director: Theodore Benditt (Philosophy)

The Philosophy and Law minor provides interested students with a secondary specialization focusing upon the philosophical underpinnings of the political and legal systems of the United States as well as the modes of thought found in the legal system. Because legal argument frequently uses ideas found in moral thought, exposure to the theory or history of ethics is critical. The program may be of interest to students contemplating a career in law and in related careers, though it is not intended as a pre-law or legal studies program.

Major in Philosophy with Honors

The Philosophy Honors Program is designed for qualified, self-motivated students. It is suited for those contemplating graduate work in philosophy or in professional fields in which an honors degree is desired. Through special distribution and credit hour requirements and a directed honors thesis, honors students are prepared for in-depth philosophical research and related graduate and professional opportunity. For acceptance in Philosophy Honors Program a student must

be a philosophy first major

have at least sophomore standing

have at least nine semester hours in UAB philosophy courses

have at least a 3.5 GPA in UAB philosophy course work

submit an application to the department (applications are available from department office)

Additional Requirements For Honors in Philosophy Degree

Course Grade and GPA Requirement

No course in which a grade below C has been earned may be counted toward the major. A 3.6 GPA in philosophy (PHL) courses is required for graduation with honors.

Survey of contemporary moral problems and dilemmas; introduction to methods and concepts of moral philosophy. Topics may include abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, economic justice, homosexuality, animal rights, and respect for nature. Ethics and Civic Responsibility are significant components of this course. This course meets the Core Curriculum requirements for Area II: Humanities.

PHL 116. Bioethics. 3 Hours.

Moral problems and dilemmas in medicine and health professions; elementary methods and concepts of moral philosophy. Problems typically include, among others, AIDS and human and animal experimentation. Ethics and Civic Responsibility are significant components of this course. This course meets the Core Curriculum requirements for Area II: Humanities.

PHL 120. Practical Reasoning. 3 Hours.

Survey of skills in critical thinking and scientific reasoning, including the ability to identify different kinds of arguments, recognize common fallacies of reasoning, and evaluate analogical, causal, and statistical arguments. Quantitative Literacy is a significant component of this course. This course meets the Core Curriculum requirements for Area II: Humanities.

PHL 125. Introduction to Ethics. 3 Hours.

Elements of moral philosophy. Moral objectivity; connections among morality, rationality, and religion; nature and significance of moral value. This course meets the Core Curriculum requirements for Area II: Humanities.

PHL 135. The Rule of Law. 3 Hours.

Law and legal institutions and processes, with emphasis on civil law. Development of legal ideas in such areas as torts, contracts, and property law. Role and history of legal institutions within political framework. Covers many topics addressed in the first year of law school. Relations between courts and legislatures. Ethics and Civic Responsibility are significant components of this course.

Socrates to present, focusing on historical development of moral tradition that has shaped Western society. Plato, Aristotle, Aquinas, Hobbes, Hume, Kant, Mill, Nietzsche, and others.

PHL 216. Intermediate Bioethics. 3 Hours.

An in-depth examination of selected issues in Bioethics. Usually 3-4 topics will be selected from the general areas of Death and Dying, Ethical Issues at the Beginning of Human Life, Research Ethics, Justice and Medical Finance, Genetics, and the Doctor-Patient Relationship.Prerequisites:PHL 116 [Min Grade: C]

PHL 220. Introduction to Symbolic Logic. 3 Hours.

Modern theory of deductive inference. Emphasis on recognizing valid forms of reasoning. Truth-function theory and some beginning concepts of quantification theory. Quantitative Literacy is a significant component of this course.

PHL 230. Social and Political Philosophy. 3 Hours.

Survey of contemporary debates concerning fundamental principles of political life. Topics typically include justification of political authority, the proper role of government in society, economic justice, freedom and rights, and the free enterprise system. Ethics and Civic Responsibility are significant components of this course.

PHL 232. Classical Political Thought. 3 Hours.

Development of western political thought from Plato to Augustine; Theories of major political thinkers.

PHL 233. Modern Political Theory. 3 Hours.

Development of Western political thought from the earlymodern era to contemporary debates in works of Machiavelli to Mill. Theories of major political thinkers.

Origins and development of Western philosophic tradition, with emphasis on writings of Plato and Aristotle. Concepts of knowledge, reality, and the good life.

PHL 270. Science, Knowledge, and Reality. 3 Hours.

Science; its nature, scope, and significance. Scientific reasoning; science as social institution; ethical issues in science.

PHL 290. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

In-depth examination of one or more problems, authors, or ideas of historical or current interest.

PHL 291. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

In-depth examination of one or more problems, authors, or ideas of historical or current interest.

PHL 292. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

In-depth examination of one or more problems, authors, or ideas of historical or current interest.

PHL 293. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

In-depth examination of one or more problems, authors, or ideas of historical or current interest.

PHL 309. Teaching Practicum. 3 Hours.

Teaching experience in philosophy courses, supervised by a faculty member. Student must have previously taken the course for which the student will work within. Permission of Director of Undergraduate Studies required. Pass/Fail.

PHL 311. Philosophy of Science. 3 Hours.

Philosophical issues concerning the nature of science. Topics may include philosophical debates about scientific evidence; scientific explanation; empiricism, instrumentalism, and realism; the problems of induction; the demarcation problem; theories and models; laws and mechanisms; reduction; causation and explanation; observables vs. unobservables; ethical issues in science; and the social structure and impact of science.

PHL 312. Philosophy of Biology. 3 Hours.

This course surveys issues in contemporary philosophy of biology and some closely related issues. Much of the focus will be on philosophical issues concerning evolutionary biology, but issues in developmental biology, molecular biology, and immunology will also be considered. No background in biology is required. Philosophical issues involving evolution and ethics, nature vs. nurture, evolution and psychology, biological mechanisms and models, species and human nature, evolution and intelligent design, and natural selection and chance will be discussed.

Theories of the nature of law (natural law, realism, positivism, critical legal theory); interpretation of precedents, statutes, and Constitution; Constitutional protections such as freedom of speech and religion and the right of privacy; selected issues in criminal and civil law. Ethics and Civic responsibility are significant components of this course.

PHL 341. History of Philosophy: Descartes to Hume. 3 Hours.

Philosophy in modern era, focusing on continental rationalism and British empiricism; emphasis on theories of knowledge and reality; science, religion, and modernism. One previous PHL course or permission of instructor required. Writing is a significant component of this course.

Artificial intelligence; its philosophical foundations and implications. Topics may include mind-body problem, nature of intelligence, machine models of mind, computational processes, and mental representation. One previous PHL course or permission of instructor required.

PHL 375. Philosophy of Mind. 3 Hours.

Mind; its nature, forms, and functions. Concepts of mind/body, consciousness, rationality, and personal identity; free will. One previous PHL course or permission of instructor required. Writing is a significant component of this course.

PHL 390. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

This course is a seminar whose content may be different each time it is taught. It provides instructors with the opportunity to deal with topics that may not be considered in any other course or which may be treated in another course but only at an introductory level. Topics may include: special topics in some area of philosophy, interdisciplinary issues, and important work or works by a great philosopher.

PHL 391. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

This course is a seminar whose content may be different each time it is taught. It provides instructors with the opportunity to deal with topics that may not be considered in any other course or which may be treated in another course but only at an introductory level. Topics may include: special topics in some area of philosophy, interdisciplinary issues, and important work or works by a great philosopher. One previous PHL course or permission of instructor required.

PHL 392. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

This course is a seminar whose content may be different each time it is taught. It provides instructors with the opportunity to deal with topics that may not be considered in any other course or which may be treated in another course but only at an introductory level. Topics may include: special topics in some area of philosophy, interdisciplinary issues, and important work or works by a great philosopher. One previous PHL course or permission of instructor required.

PHL 393. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

This course is a seminar whose content may be different each time it is taught. It provides instructors with the opportunity to deal with topics that may not be considered in any other course or which may be treated in another course but only at an introductory level. Topics may include: special topics in some area of philosophy, interdisciplinary issues, and important work or works by a great philosopher.

PHL 394. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

This course is a seminar whose content may be different each time it is taught. It provides instructors with the opportunity to deal with topics that may not be considered in any other course or which may be treated in another course but only at an introductory level. Topics may include: special topics in some area of philosophy, interdisciplinary issues, and important work or works by a great philosopher.

PHL 395. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

This course is a seminar whose content may be different each time it is taught. It provides instructors with the opportunity to deal with topics that may not be considered in any other course or which may be treated in another course but only at an introductory level. Topics may include: special topics in some area of philosophy, interdisciplinary issues, and important work or works by a great philosopher.

PHL 396. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

This course is a seminar whose content may be different each time it is taught. It provides instructors with the opportunity to deal with topics that may not be considered in any other course or which may be treated in another course but only at an introductory level. Topics may include: special topics in some area of philosophy, interdisciplinary issues, and important work or works by a great philosopher.

PHL 397. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

This course is a seminar whose content may be different each time it is taught. It provides instructors with the opportunity to deal with topics that may not be considered in any other course or which may be treated in another course but only at an introductory level. Topics may include: special topics in some area of philosophy, interdisciplinary issues, and important work or works by a great philosopher.

PHL 398. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

This course is a seminar whose content may be different each time it is taught. It provides instructors with the opportunity to deal with topics that may not be considered in any other course or which may be treated in another course but only at an introductory level. Topics may include: special topics in some area of philosophy, interdisciplinary issues, and important work or works by a great philosopher.

PHL 399. Topics in Philosophy. 3 Hours.

This course is a seminar whose content may be different each time it is taught. It provides instructors with the opportunity to deal with topics that may not be considered in any other course or which may be treated in another course but only at an introductory level. Topics may include: special topics in some area of philosophy, interdisciplinary issues, and important work or works by a great philosopher.

PHL 402. Neuroethics. 3 Hours.

Ethical issues related to neuroscience and other sciences of the mind. Topics typically include: privacy and side effects of brain technologies; neuroscientific threats to free will; moral responsibility and mental illness; emotion and reason in moral judgment; cognitive enhancement and personality change; ethically sound research practices. A previous course in Philosophy is recommended. Ethics and Civic Responsibility are significant components of this course.

PHL 405. Epistemology: Theories of Knowledge. 3 Hours.

Human knowledge; its nature, sources, and limits. Concepts of truth, objectivity, evidence, and belief. Two previous PHL courses or permission of instructor required. Writing is a significant component of this course.

PHL 408. Metaphysics. 3 Hours.

Reality; its basic elements, principles of existence and identity, and appearance and reality. Concepts of cause, matter, mind, realism, and anti-realism. Two previous PHL courses or permission of instructor required.

PHL 435. Philosophy of Law. 3 Hours.

Theories of the nature of law (natural law, realism, positivism, critical legal theory); interpretation of precedents, statutes, and Constitution; Constitutional protections such as freedom of speech and religion and the right of privacy; selected issues of criminal and civil law. Requires additional work not required in PHL 335. Ethics and Civic Responsibility are significant components of this course.

PHL 441. History of Philosophy: Descartes to Hume. 3 Hours.

Philosophy in modern era, focusing on continental rationalism and British empiricism; emphasis on theories of knowledge and reality; science, religion, and modernism. Writing is a significant component of this course.

Major movements and problems of twentieth century philosophy. Moore, Russell, Wittgenstein, and Quine, among others. Two previous PHL courses or permission of instructor required.

PHL 470. Philosophical Problems in the Natural and Social Sciences. 3 Hours.

Nature and uses of science. Concepts of explanation, confirmation, scientific law, and theory; special problems in sciences. Two previous PHL courses or permission of instructor required.

PHL 490. Philosophy Seminar. 3 Hours.

In-depth survey of either a topic or individual author of current interest. A systematic survey using previous course work in the main areas of philosophy to produce a substantial paper. Emphasis on detailed analysis of the structure of arguments and standards for empirical evidence where relevant. Proper standards for citation and attribution. Course fulfills capstone requirement for Seniors.

PHL 491. Philosophy Seminar. 3 Hours.

In-depth survey of either a topic or individual author of current interest. A systematic survey using previous course work in the main areas of philosophy to produce a substantial paper. Emphasis on detailed analysis of the structure of arguments and standards for empirical evidence where relevant. Proper standards for citation and attribution. This course fulfills the capstone requirement for seniors.

PHL 492. Philosophy Seminar. 3 Hours.

In-depth survey of either a topic or individual author of current interest. A systematic survey using previous course work in the main areas of philosophy to produce a substantial paper. Emphasis on detailed analysis of the structure of arguments and standards for empirical evidence where relevant. Proper standards for citation and attribution. This course fulfills the capstone requirement for seniors.

PHL 493. Philosophy Seminar. 3 Hours.

In-depth survey of either a topic or individual author of current interest. A systematic survey in the main areas of philosophy to produce a substantial paper. Emphasis on detailed analysis of the structure of arguments and standards for empirical evidence where relevant. Proper standards for citation and attribution.

PHL 494. Philosophy Seminar. 3 Hours.

In-depth survey of either a topic or individual author of current interest. A systematic survey in the main areas of philosophy to produce a substantial paper. Emphasis on detailed analysis of the structure of arguments and standards for empirical evidence where relevant. Proper standards for citation and attribution.

PHL 499. Directed Studies. 1-3 Hour.

Special arrangement opportunity for in-depth study. Permission of Instructor Only.